Arcana

Edenbridge | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 15, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sensory Records
• ASIN: B00005UKLR
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #421,045 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Sensory features BOTH the European bonus track 'Velvet Eyes of Dawn' and the Japanese bonus track 'The Whisper of the Ages'. These additional tracks make this the definitive edition of 'Arcana'. Edenbridge's debut 'Sunrise in Eden' blew away the world wit

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lives up to its nickname: Angelic Bombastic Metal, March 11, 2002

By 

Just Bill (Grand Rapids, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arcana (Audio CD)

Edenbridge, the Austrian band relatively new on the symphonic rock block, features rock guitarist Lanvall and vocalist Sabine Edelsbacher -- the latter being one of the more attractive female vocalists around these days.

Speaking of Sabine's voice...

Her voice is pleasant, although slightly limited in range. In other words, her voice doesn't seem to change much, hovering close to a respectable upper mid-range, even though the music pounds and soars behind her. Despite its beauty, Sabine's voice is the weakest link, in my opinion, like she's holding back the songs somehow.

But that's only a small gripe. Overall, Edenbridge is delightful music. Their sound is Bostonish in some spots -- over-the-top rock that has a majestic cadence...and Stratovarius-like in other areas with its rapid-fire neo-classical arrangements.

Arcana is Edenbridge's second CD (Sunrise in Eden being the first). I like the opening track, "Ascending," and the second track, "Starlight Reverie." But the ballads ("A Moment of Time" and "Velvet Eyes of Dawn") seem to lack originality and memorability. Maybe it's because Sabine's voice doesn't lift the song above a ho-hum level. Maybe the songs just lack compelling melody.

The Sensory label says Edenbridge has created a unique sound they call "angelic bombastic metal," which they define as soaring guitarwork, symphonic keys, breathtaking vocals, and a powerful rhythm section.

I'll grant them that. This is bombastic metal, all right. And Sabine's voice is certainly angelic.

However, there's nothing particularly earthshattering about Edenbridge's songs. I didn't say "Wow" after any of them ended (the way I did after hearing After Forever's Decipher CD...or the track "Freedom" off Stratovarius' Infinite CD). This is pleasant metal with a better than average lead vocalist.

What I like most about Edenbridge is that they're a welcome respite from the sonic onslaught of bands like Iced Earth, In Flames, Nevermore, Opeth, Therion and others of that ilk.

So when you want to feel uplifted, happy and entertained, Edenbridge is just what the doctor ordered. Just don't expect much more than that and you'll be A-OK.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yum, lets all dance upon the rainbows..., June 15, 2005

By 

Grape - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arcana (Audio CD)

This is Edenbridge's second release and they haven't really changed that much from their first - Sunrise In Eden. But that's OK because the music was perfect anyway, Sunrise In Eden was so good that it was impossible to improve on it. However, it makes Arcana feel like just an extension to Sunrise... nothing new has been added to the band's sound.
Lanvall, the megalomaniac curly-wig of the band is an extremely talented musician. He plays lead, rhythm and acoustic guitar plus keyboards and does all the composing. All of the songs contain at least one guitar solo and they are all amazing!
This album has a very happy atmosphere - not anything that would make you kill yourself, which makes this CD a refreshing addition to my otherwise wholly gloomy collection.
This album is very operatic, power metal - which is what you wopuld expect from the mystical cover artwork (done by the same guy who does the Nightwish covers) and the names of the songs (especially "Fly On A Rainbow Dream"!).
Sabine's voice is operatic, but not as powerful or as strong as other female vocalists in this genre (eg Tarja Turunen, Floor Jansen etc). She may not have a very wide vocal range, but her voice is still beautiful and fits well with the music.
It is very hard to pick a favourite track from this album, there are no "filler tracks" and no tracks that make me scramble for the "skip" button. But i would have to say my favourite is Arcana, 10 minutes long and simply quite exquisite really.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long Live Edenbridge...., March 28, 2004

By 

Elton Lee (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arcana (Audio CD)

Arcana was the very first album I had for Edenbridge... I bought it because of the cover art and assume that Edenbridge would be my kinda music.. Indeed it is my kinda music.. I love the entire album due to the fact that it is symphonic , bombastic, melodic and yet heavy in certain parts.... Songs are catchya nd memorable to listen to.. I never got bored of listening to Arcana over and over again... Sabine's voice is truly great.... I would love to see Edenbridge live at least to experience the powerful band.....right in front of me.... The entire band is just superb... Their craftmanships will speak for itself for a very long time.... I 've got all of their albums now... Edenbridge live on!!!!